Papers by Gemechu Berhanu
Veterinary Medicine : Research and Reports, Sep 30, 2023
Gastrointestinal tract nematodes are considered to be the most significant and underestimated pro... more Gastrointestinal tract nematodes are considered to be the most significant and underestimated problems that hinder sheep productivity. Objective: This study aimed to evaluate the epidemiology of gastrointestinal tract nematode infestation of sheep in the Toke Kutaye District of West Shoa Zone, Ethiopia. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted to determine the prevalence and risk factors associated with gastrointestinal tract nematode parasite infestation in sheep. Faecal samples were collected from 384 sheep and subjected to coprological examination, including direct smear, flotation techniques, and Baermann techniques for screening and identifying gastrointestinal nematodes. Results: The overall prevalence of gastrointestinal tract nematode parasite infestation in sheep in the study area was 284 (73.96%). From the total positive cases, males and females were 97 (82.91%) and 187 (70.04%), respectively. The predominantly detected gastrointestinal tract nematodes of sheep in the study area were Trichostrongylus 111 (28.91%), Oestartagia 55 (14.32%), Haemonchus 42 (10.94%), Oesophagostomum 48 (12.50%), and Trichuris 23 (5.99%). Mixed nematode eggs were noticed in some of the sheep beside the single type of nematode eggs, with a prevalence of 85 (22.14%). The relationship in the occurrence of parasites between sex, age groups, body conditions, and seasons was statistically significant (P = 0.008, P = 0.014, P = 0.001 and P = 0.003), respectively. Conclusion: The present study is of great importance to add to the existing knowledge of the epidemiology of gastrointestinal tract nematodes of sheep, and the findings are very important to apply the proper control and prevention strategies for gastrointestinal tract nematodes of sheep in the area.
Cureus, Mar 26, 2020
Coronaviruses (CoVs) belong to the family of Coronaviridae, the order Nidovirales, and the genus ... more Coronaviruses (CoVs) belong to the family of Coronaviridae, the order Nidovirales, and the genus Coronavirus. They are the largest group of viruses causing respiratory and gastrointestinal infections. Morphologically, CoVs are enveloped viruses containing a non-segmented positive-sense, single-stranded ribonucleic acid (RNA) viruses. CoVs are categorized into four important genera that include Alphacoronavirus, Betacoronavirus, Gammacoronavirus, and Deltacoronavirus. A novel member of human CoV that has recently emerged in Wuhan, China, is now formally named as SARS-CoV-2 (severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2). This is a unique strain of RNA viruses that have not been previously observed in humans. The virus has wide host adaptability and is capable of causing severe diseases in humans, masked palm civets, mice, dogs, cats, camels, pigs, chickens, and bats. The SARS-CoV-2 typically causes respiratory and gastrointestinal sickness in both humans and animals. It can be transmitted through aerosols and direct/indirect contact, as well as during medical cases and laboratory sample handling. Specific structural proteins, which might be found on the surface of the virus, play an important role in the pathogenesis and development of the complications. The disease is characterized by distinct medical signs and symptoms that include high fever, chills, cough, and shortness of breath or difficulty in breathing. The infected people may also present with other symptoms such as diarrhea, myalgia, fatigue, expectoration, and hemoptysis. It is important from the public health and economic point of view as it affects the growth of the country, which is majorly attributed to the restriction in the movement of the people and the cost associated with the control and prevention of the disease. Since there is no specific therapeutic intervention nor a vaccine available against the virus, supportive management and treatment with non-specific therapeutic agents (repurposed drugs) may provide relief to the patients. Some preventive strategies of the disease include blocking the routes of transmission of the infections, disinfection of instruments used during medical case handling, using personal protective equipment, proper and early diagnosis of the disease, avoiding contact with the sick patients, and quarantine of the infected/exposed people.
Veterinary Medicine: Research and Reports
Background: Antimicrobials have a crucial role in reducing mortality and morbidity in animals, bu... more Background: Antimicrobials have a crucial role in reducing mortality and morbidity in animals, but misuse of them may cause antimicrobial resistance and residues which are challenging in animal production and public health. These problems are mostly aggravated in developing countries including Ethiopia. Objective: Assessment of antibiotic use, awareness of antimicrobial resistance and antimicrobial residue in veterinary professionals and farmers. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted from September 2021 to August 2022 in three districts (Seyo, Hawa Gelan, and Dale Sadi) of the Kellem Wollega zone, selected by purposive sampling. The study population was farmers and veterinary professionals. Data was collected from a total of 312 respondents; 230 farmers and 82 veterinary professionals using interviews and questionnaires, respectively. Results: Out of 312 total respondents, 230 (73.71%) were farmers and 82 (26.28%) were veterinary professionals. From the farmer respondents, 127 (55.22%), 153 (66.52%), and 142 (61.74%) had an awareness of antibiotics and their usage, antimicrobial resistance, and withdrawal period, respectively. Out of 82 veterinary professional respondents, 92.68% practice dose calculation during animal treatment, 79.27% diagnose systemic infections by tentative diagnosis, 85.37% have no laboratory facility for bacterial disease, and 81.71% give broad-spectrum antibiotics for undifferentiated cases. The income type of respondents looks to have a strong association (
Journal of Animal Research, 2016
A cross-sectional study was conducted from November 2013 to April 2014 on 384 randomly selected s... more A cross-sectional study was conducted from November 2013 to April 2014 on 384 randomly selected small ruminants (264 sheep and 120 goats) in Quarit district, North Western Ethiopia, with the objectives of determining the major type of gastrointestinal (GIT) parasites and their prevalence in sheep and goats. Fecal samples collected from all animals were subjected to floatation and sedimentation and McMaster egg counting techniques. The study found that the overall prevalence of gastrointestinal parasites in small ruminants was 56.25% (216/384). Species wise prevalence indicated that 58.71% (155/264) of sheep and 50.83% (61/120) of goats harbored one or more GIT parasites. Different types of helminth parasites with prevalence of 44.90% nematodes, 19.44%, Paraphistomum spp., 21% Moniezia spp. and 9.72% mixed infections (nematodes and Moniezia spp.) in both sheep and goats were recorded. There was a significant difference (P < 0.05) in prevalence of GIT helminthosis between different body conditions of animals. Animals with emaciated body conditions were highly infected than animals with normal body condition. However, there was no significant difference (P>0.05) in the prevalence of GIT parasites between sex, age and species of animals. Out of 384 sheep and goats examined 54.62%, 25% and 20.37% were lightly, moderately and highly infested by GIT helminthes, respectively. This study showed that, GIT parasites are major health problems of small ruminants in the study area. Therefore, a comprehensive study on species of GIT parasites circulating in the area, cost effective strategic control options and awareness creations to the farmers in the study area should be instituted.
Coronaviruses (CoVs) belong to the family of Coronaviridae, the order Nidovirales, and the genus ... more Coronaviruses (CoVs) belong to the family of Coronaviridae, the order Nidovirales, and the genus Coronavirus. They are the largest group of viruses causing respiratory and gastrointestinal infections. Morphologically, CoVs are enveloped viruses containing a non-segmented positive-sense, single-stranded ribonucleic acid (RNA) viruses. CoVs are categorized into four important genera that include Alphacoronavirus, Betacoronavirus, Gammacoronavirus, and Deltacoronavirus. A novel member of human CoV that has recently emerged in Wuhan, China, is now formally named as SARS-CoV-2 (severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2). This is a unique strain of RNA viruses that have not been previously observed in humans. The virus has wide host adaptability and is capable of causing severe diseases in humans, masked palm civets, mice, dogs, cats, camels, pigs, chickens, and bats. The SARS-CoV-2 typically causes respiratory and gastrointestinal sickness in both humans and animals. It can be tran...
A cross sectional study was conducted from November 2013 to April 2014 with the aim of studying t... more A cross sectional study was conducted from November 2013 to April 2014 with the aim of studying the prevalence of ectoparasites of economic importance in ruminants in and around Shashemene town. A total of 412 (224 cattle, 102 sheep and 86 goats) were included in this study. Out of these animals 228 (55.3%) animals were infested by one or more species of ectoparasites. Of a total of examined animals; 120 (53.6%) of cattle, 65 (63.7%) of sheep and 43 (50.0%) of goats were positive for various species of ectoparasites. The major ectoparasites recorded in the present study were, ticks with prevalence of 36.6% in cattle, 15.7% in sheep and 10.5% in goats; lice 21.4% in cattle, 35.3% in sheep and 30.2% in goats, mange mite 8.0% in cattle, 8.8% in sheep and 15.1% in goats; fleas 3.1% in cattle, 12.7% in sheep and 8.1% in goats and sheep ked 24.5% in sheep. This study has revealed that lice were the predominant ectoparasites followed by mange mite and fleas in goats; ticks were the predomi...
Received: 27/05/2020 Accepted: 12/06/2020 Abstract Fungi are versatile groups of eukaryotic organ... more Received: 27/05/2020 Accepted: 12/06/2020 Abstract Fungi are versatile groups of eukaryotic organisms that have the potential to infect plants, humans and animals incl uding birds. They can invade any organ of the body i.e. from skin to brai n. Cutaneous mycoses, caused by dermatophytes, yeasts, and non-dematophyt ic fungi, are important from public health and economic point of view; and are generally encountered both in medical and veterinary clinical pr ctice. The cases of cutaneous mycoses are encountered in immunocompromi sed and also in immunocompetent subjects. The infection mostly occu rs in sporadic form but rarely, small outbreaks are also observed. The growth of nondermatophytic fungi on the cutaneous and external p arts of the body of human beings and animals causes many dermatological problems. Nondermatophyte fungi can colonize and invade the kera tin of skin, nail, and hair. The natural infection is reported in humans, and also in a number of animal species. The source...
American Journal of Infectious Diseases and Microbiology, 2021
Toxoplasmosis is an important emerging and re-emerging zoonotic disease that results from the inf... more Toxoplasmosis is an important emerging and re-emerging zoonotic disease that results from the infection with Toxoplasma gondii, which is one of the most common parasites in the world. The disease usually happens through consuming undercooked contaminated meat, exposure from diseased cat feces, or mother-to-child transmission all through pregnancy. Toxoplasmosis is commonly transmitted via the mouth when Toxoplasma gondii oocysts or tissue cysts are eaten by chance. Congenital transmission from mother to fetus can also arise. Transmission can arise from the stable organ transplant manner or hematogenous stem cellular transplants. The majority of individuals infected with toxoplasmosis, has no signs and symptoms and is not aware of being infected. However, some people show symptoms and signs similar to those of the flu, inclusive of body aches, swollen lymph nodes, headache, fever, fatigue, confusion, poor coordination, and seizures. Diagnosis of toxoplasmosis in human beings is made ...
Medicinal plants have different biological activities and their natural products are an important... more Medicinal plants have different biological activities and their natural products are an important source of biologically active ingredients. These plants and their secondary metabolic constituents have been used in traditional medicine and they are a source for the synthesis of many important drugs used in modern medicine. Numerous biologically active plant components have been discovered by ethnopharmacological evaluation and the medicinal plants offer the local population with an immediate and accessible therapeutic product used to treat different diseases in animals and humans. Carissa spinarum L. belongs to the family Apocynaceae and its parts such as root, leaf, and fruits have medicinal properties that are of help to both humans and animals. Different solvents and advanced techniques are employed in the extraction of phytochemical constituents of Carissa spinarum to study its potential medicinal applications. The phytochemicals occur naturally in the plant leaves, fruits, stem...
Brucellosis, a highly infectious, neglected, foodborne zoonotic disease, is caused by consumption... more Brucellosis, a highly infectious, neglected, foodborne zoonotic disease, is caused by consumption of unpasteurized milk or undercooked meat of infected animals origin, or direct contact with the discharges. It is the most common re-emerging significant disease globally, and causes a significant human morbidity in endemic regions of the world. Globally, around 500, 000 cases of human brucellosis occur each year. The disease is responsible to cause an estimated economic loss of US dollars 344 billion to the livestock industry. Brucellosis in human beings is especially caused by B. abortus, B. melitensis, B. canis, and B. suis. Since brucellosis affects animals all over the world, people who always work with animals or come into contact with infected animal’s blood or other discharges are at higher risk of contracting the disease. Human-to-human transmission of the infection is uncommon; some such instances have happened through breastfeeding, trans-placental transmission, and blood tr...
International Journal of Biomedical Engineering and Clinical Science, 2019
A questionnaire based cross sectional survey was conducted to assess the awareness of the communi... more A questionnaire based cross sectional survey was conducted to assess the awareness of the community about common zoonotic diseases in Lalo Kile District, Kellem Wollega Zone, Ethiopia. A total of 440 (292 male and 148 female) respondents were participated during the interview. A structured questionnaire was prepared and used to ask the respondents categorized into different levels about their knowledge and awareness on common zoonotic diseases in the area. From the total respondent category 82.50% have awareness on rabies, 81.82% have a concept about taeniasis, 81.36% know about bovine tuberculosis, 79.55% know about anthrax and 72.05% know about hydatidosis. These respondents have a concept about transmission, clinical signs, effect and way of control and prevention of the common zoonotic diseases. From the different category of the respondents, educational level and occupational status are statistically significant (P<0.05). 83.86% and 86.36% of the respondents consume raw meat and raw milk, respectively. Most of the respondents know that zoonotic diseases can be transmitted from animals to human, but very few of them know that the disease can be transmitted from human to animals. Therefore, the general continuous awareness creation and teaching of the community about zoonotic disease is very important.
Infection and Drug Resistance
Staphylococcus species come from a variety of sources and can contaminate milk during milking, ca... more Staphylococcus species come from a variety of sources and can contaminate milk during milking, cause mastitis and other diseases in animals and humans. The enterotoxins they produce cause food poisoning. Our objectives were to isolate, biochemically characterize, and determine antimicrobial susceptibility profiles of Staphylococcus species from dairy farms in central Oromia, Ethiopia. Methods: A total of 339 samples (n = 135 [raw milk], n = 135 [udders' swabs], n = 25 [milkers' hands swabs], n = 44 [pooled milking utensils' swabs]) were collected from smallholders and dairy farms. Bacteriological culture and biochemical tests were performed to isolate and identify Staphylococcus species, and the Kirby Bauer disk diffusion method was used for antimicrobial susceptibility testing. Results: Across all sample types and dairy farms, 247 (72.9%) Staphylococcus isolates were obtained which comprised of 101 (74.8%) isolates from raw milk, 98 (72.6%) from udder swabs, 30 (68.2%) from pooled utensil swabs, and 18 (72%) from milkers' hand swabs. Fifty coagulase-positive Staphylococcus isolates (20 S. aureus, 20 S. hyicus and 10 S. intermedius) subjected to antimicrobial susceptibility tests have shown various degrees of resistance. All S. aureus isolates were 100% resistant to ampicillin and penicillin. Out of 20 S. hyicus isolates, 90% were resistant to ampicillin and 85% to penicillin. S. intermedius isolates (n=10) were 70% resistant to nalidixic acid and penicillin whilst remaining 100% resistant to ampicillin. Five S. aureus, three S. intermedius and two S. hyicus isolates from raw milk, milk utensil swabs and milkers' hand swabs were multidrug-resistant (resistance to at least three classes of antimicrobials). Conclusion: This study revealed a high prevalence of staphylococci in the dairy cattle, milkers and milking utensils with multidrugresistant coagulase-positive Staphylococcus species suggesting the significance of pasteurization. Further research is encouraged on the factors leading to antibiotic resistance in Staphylococcus species.
American Journal of Public Health Research, 2020
Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) is a gram-positive bacterium that has a greater impact on anima... more Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) is a gram-positive bacterium that has a greater impact on animal and human health by causing various diseases. S. aureus is present as normal flora of the skin and mucous membranes of both humans and animals but can cause disease when it gets the chance to invade either due to trauma or because of impaired immune responses of the host. Different virulence factors are involved in the mechanisms of pathogenesis of S. aureus which include surface proteins, enzymes, toxins, and others. These virulence factors play an important role in invasion, colonization, and survival of S. aureus in the host to cause staphylococcal diseases. Infections of S. aureus pose a major public health threat owing to its ability to cause mild to severe/life-threatening human diseases. Methicillin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA) has become a pathogen of increasing importance in hospitals (nosocomial infection) and the community. It can be mainly transmitted to humans by the consump...
The Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is a globally declared pandemic viral disease caused by a... more The Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is a globally declared pandemic viral disease caused by a novel virus, the Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) affecting the respiratory tract. This disease has caused high morbidity as well as mortality in susceptible populations throughout the world. Currently, COVID-19 is spreading to most countries of the world including European, American, Asian, and African countries. In these countries, the death rates of the disease have been different. The possible mechanisms of transmission of the disease include droplet inhalation, direct contact with the person infected by the disease, and indirect contact transmission. Common clinical spectrum of the disease includes high fever, dry or productive cough, shortness, and difficulty of breathing, sore throat, general weakness, myalgia, and chills. The disease can be diagnosed using clinical history, travel history, contact history, clinical signs, and different laboratory test...
Bacteria have different characteristics. Their category depends on their behavior.
Applied Ecology and Environmental Sciences
American Journal of Microbiological Research
Bovine tuberculosis (BTB) is a zoonotic infectious disease of cattle, other domesticated animals,... more Bovine tuberculosis (BTB) is a zoonotic infectious disease of cattle, other domesticated animals, and certain wildlife populations. It has been widely distributed throughout the world, and it has been a cause for great economic loss in animal production. In developed countries, the eradication programs have reduced or eliminated TB in cattle. Many factors contribute to the persistence of the disease, such as the limitations of diagnostic tests, larger herd sizes, increase in animal movements and trade, and limited options for control, such as restrictions on whole herd depopulation. The available advanced TB diagnostic techniques can detect and differentiate the causative mycobacterial species, and help an early confirmation of the diagnosis, which is useful to design appropriate control measures in the national BTB control programs. Molecular diagnostics, such as polymerase chain reaction, spoligotyping, restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP), variable number tandem repeats typing (VNTR), and polymorphism GC-rich repeat sequence (PGRS) are the techniques used for concurrent detection and typing of Mycobacterium species at the strain level. The molecular epidemiology is also being used to identify the source of contamination, to determine the risk factors of BTB transmissions, to investigate the drug resistance pattern, and to track the geographic distribution and spread of clones of Mycobacteria species. The molecular diagnosis is the tool to check whether active transmission or reactivation of BTB, hence, it is better to adopt these methods for the epidemiological survey of BTB. Since BTB is a major public health problem, at least a single reference laboratory should be available for molecular based diagnosis as part of its control.
Cystic echinococcosis, a major neglected helminthic zoonotic disease of public health and economi... more Cystic echinococcosis, a major neglected helminthic zoonotic disease of public health and economic significance, is caused by larval stage of the tapeworm Echinococcus granulosus.
Medicinal plants have different biological activities and their natural products are an important... more Medicinal plants have different biological activities and their natural products are an important source of biologically active ingredients. These plants and their secondary metabolic constituents have been used in traditional medicine and they are a source for the synthesis of many important drugs used in modern medicine. Numerous biologically active plant components have been discovered by ethnopharmacological evaluation and the medicinal plants offer the local population with an immediate and accessible therapeutic product used to treat different diseases in animals and humans. Carissa spinarum L. belongs to the family Apocynaceae and its parts such as root, leaf, and fruits have medicinal properties that are of help to both humans and animals. Different solvents and advanced techniques are employed in the extraction of phytochemical constituents of Carissa spinarum to study its potential medicinal applications. The phytochemicals occur naturally in the plant leaves, fruits, stems, bark, seeds, and roots that defend and protect the plant against various diseases. The antimicrobial activities of Carissa spinarum revealed a potential antibacterial activity against several bacteria that includes Staphylococcus aureus, Staphylococcus aureus ATCC 25923, Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), Bacillus subtilis, Salmonella typhi, Escherichia coli, Escherichia coli ATCC25922, Escherichia coli DSM 1103, Pseudomonas aeruginosa ATCC 35032, Pseudomonas fluorescence, Proteus mirabilis, Mycoplasma mycoides and Streptococcus species. The current review presents a comprehensive analysis of the medicinal applications of Carissa spinarum.
Fungi are versatile groups of eukaryotic organisms that have the potential to infect plants, huma... more Fungi are versatile groups of eukaryotic organisms that have the potential to infect plants, humans and animals including birds. They can invade any organ of the body i.e. from skin to brain. Cutaneous mycoses, caused by dermatophytes, yeasts, and non-dematophytic fungi, are important from public health and economic point of view; and are generally encountered both in medical and veterinary clinical practice. The cases of cutaneous mycoses are encountered in immunocompromised and also in immunocompetent subjects. The infection mostly occurs in sporadic form but rarely, small outbreaks are also observed. The growth of non-dermatophytic fungi on the cutaneous and external parts of the body of human beings and animals causes many dermatological problems. Non-dermatophyte fungi can colonize and invade the keratin of skin, nail, and hair. The natural infection is reported in humans, and also in a number of animal species. The source of infection in most cases is exogenous. The transmission occurs through the advent of the organism via superficial trauma, lacerated injury or punctured wound because of fungal infected objects from saprobic surroundings where these organisms exists as saprophytes. The symptoms depend on the species of fungus and health status of the host. The direct demonstration of the fungal agent in clinical specimens and its isolation in pure and luxuriant growth still remains the gold standard of diagnosis. A variety of chemicals and drugs are available to treat fungal dermatitis. Treatment depends upon the extent, site and severity of infection. Limited information is available on non-dermatophytic fungi affecting humans and animals. Therefore, researches, communications and thorough reviews are needed on non-dermatophytic fungi, which are implicated in cutaneous mycoses of humans as well as animals.
Uploads
Papers by Gemechu Berhanu